Fluid coupling for matching delivery and supply lines irrespective of the relative rotational positions of the coupling members

Abstract

A quick-connect coupling for interconnecting only matching fluid delivery and supply lines while preventing the inadvertent connection of mismatched lines where there are matched and mismatched delivery and supply lines. The coupling includes first and second coupling members that are releasably slidably, axially interfitted with their passageways in fluid communication. In the disclosed embodiment of a coupling for use in a chemical extraction system, one coupling member is a male member connected to the supply lines in the typical fifty gallon drum and the other coupling member is a female coupling member connected to the delivery lines. Key coding elements on the coupling members are movable into matched interengagement when the supply and delivery lines are matched but are precluded from moving into matched interengagement when the lines are mismatched. If a match exists, the coding elements interfit without relative rotation of the coupling members and irrespective of the relative rotational positions of the coupling members prior to such interengagement. Latches in the coupling are allowed by the key coding to move into latching positions when the key coding elements match, but are precluded by the key coding from moving into latching positions when there is a mismatch. The coupling members are coupled by axially thrusting the members together whereupon the latches move out to allow interfitting and then return to latching positions. The coupling members are uncoupled by simultaneously pressing inwardly on the latches on the outside of the coupling and pulling the coupling members apart.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A quick-connect coupling for enabling interconnection of only matching fluid delivery and supply lines while preventing the inadvertent interconnection of mismatched lines notwithstanding the presence of a plurality of delivery and supply lines some of which are matched and some of which are mismatched, comprising: 
       first and second coupling members having fluid passageways and being releasably axially movable into interfitted relationship with said passageways in fluid communication,  
       said coupling members having means connecting one of the coupling members to a supply line and the other coupling member to a delivery line,  
       key coding means on the coupling members which are axially movable into matched interengagement when the supply and delivery lines connected to the coupling members are matched but which are precluded from moving into such a matched interengagement when said lines are mismatched, said coding means being axially movable into said matched interengagement without relative rotation of the coupling members and irrespective of the relative rotational positions of the coupling members prior to such interengagement and without relative axial movement between one of the coupling members and its key coding means, and  
       latchconnecting means movable between a retaining position when the key coding means are in matched engagement for releasably maintaining the coupling members in an interconnected relationship and a releasing position permitting separation of the coupling members.  
     
     
       2. The coupling of  claim 1 , 
       wherein said latch  connecting means is precluded from moving into retaining position if the coupling members are not in matched engagement.  
     
     
       3. The coupling of  claim 1 , 
       wherein the key coding means includes opposed end walls on the coupling members extending transversely of the passageway, and  
       wherein said walls have configurations selected from the group of configurations consisting of one endwardly extending arcuate element lying along a path circumscribing said passageway, a plurality of endwardly extending radially spaced arcuate elements lying along paths circumscribing said passageway, and no such elements.  
     
     
       4. The coupling of  claim 3 , 
       wherein one of said coupling members has drainage vents therein extending lengthwise of and outside of the passageway, and  
       wherein the element or elements on said one of the coupling members is segmented to provide drainage gutters extending radially relative to the passageway and aligned with said vents.  
     
     
       5. The coupling of  claim 1 , 
       wherein the key coding means includes opposed end walls on the coupling members extending transversely of the passageway,  
       wherein the key coding means includes a plurality of arcuate segments and slots extending endwardly of each end wall toward the other end wall, and  
       wherein if the segments and slots interfit with each other the couplings are matched and if the segments on one wall contact the other wall and are prevented from interfitting, the couplings are mismatched.  
     
     
       6. The coupling of  claim 1 , 
       wherein the coding means are radially spaced, axially extending ring segments on the coupling members that interfit with each other when the number and spacing of the ring segments on the coupling members are the same and conflict with each other when the number or spacing of the ring segments on the coupling members are different.  
     
     
       7. The coupling of  claim 6 , 
       wherein the ring segments are circumferentially spaced and arranged in a plurality of groups of radially spaced ring segments,  
       wherein the ring segments having endwardly disposed faces that are axially spaced from a common plane extending perpendicularly of the passageway; and  
       wherein said spacing of the faces is graduated radially outwardly from the passageway.  
     
     
       8. The coupling of  claim 1 , 
       wherein the coupling members are relatively axially movable between an uncoupled position completely separated from each other and a coupled position in full interengagement with each other,  
       wherein the latch  connecting means is operable to move into retaining position only when the coupling members are in full interengagement,  
       wherein the key coding means has coding elements on the coupling members that contact each other if the coupling members are mismatched and prevent the coupling members from moving into full interengagement, and  
       wherein the key coding means has coding elements on the coupling members that interfit with each other if the coupling members are matched and allow the coupling members to move into full interengagement.  
     
     
       9. A quick-connect coupling for enabling interconnection of only matching fluid delivery and supply lines while preventing the inadvertent interconnection of mismatched lines notwithstanding the presence of a plurality of delivery and supply lines some of which are matched and some of which are mismatched, comprising: 
       male and female coupling members having fluid passageways and being interconnected in sealed interconnected relationship with said passageways in fluid communication but being releasably axially slidably separable from each other,  
       one of the coupling members being connectable to a supply line and the other coupling member being connectable to a delivery line,  
       a coding elements or elements on the coupling members which are axially movable into matched interengagement when the supply and delivery lines connected to the coupling members are matched but which are precluded from moving into such a matched interengagement when said lines are mismatched, said coding elements being axially movable into said matched interengagement without relative rotation of the coupling members and irrespective of the relative rotational positions of the coupling members prior to such interengagement and without relative axial movement between one of the coupling members and its coding element or elements, and  
       a latching mechanism having a retaining position when the coding elements are in matched engagement in which the coupling members are maintained in an interconnected relationship and a releasing position in which the coupling members are permitted to separate.  
     
     
       10. The coupling of  claim 9 , 
       wherein the latch mechanism is precluded from moving into retaining position if the coupling members do not match.  
     
     
       11. The coupling of  claim 10 , 
       wherein the coding elements include opposed end walls on the coupling members extending transversely of the passageway, and  
       wherein said end walls have coded configurations that are complementary and interfit when the coupling members are matched.  
     
     
       12. A quick-connect coupling for enabling interconnection of only matching fluid delivery and supply lines while preventing the inadvertent interconnection of mismatched lines notwithstanding the presence of a plurality of delivery and supply lines some of which are matched and some of which are mismatched, comprising: 
       first and second coupling members having fluid passageways and being releasably axially movable into interfitted relationships with said passageways in fluid communication,  
       one of the coupling members being connectable to a supply line and the other coupling member being connectable to a delivery line;  
       key coding elements being movable into matched interengagement when the supply and delivery lines connected to the coupling members are matched but being precluded from moving into such a matched interengagement when said lines are mismatched, there being no relative movement between one of the key coding elements and one of the coupling members during movement of the coupling members into matched interengagement, and  
       a non-threading latch operable irrespective of the relative rotational positions of the coupling members and latching the coupling members together when the key coding members are in matched interengagement.  
     
     
       13. A quick-connect coupling for enabling interconnection of only matching fluid delivery and supply lines while preventing the inadvertent interconnection of mismatched lines notwithstanding the presence of a plurality of delivery and supply lines some of which are matched and some of which are mismatched, comprising: 
       first and second coupling members having fluid passageways and being releasably axially movable into interfitted relationships with said passageways in fluid communication,  
       one of the coupling members being connectable to a supply line and the other coupling member being connectable to a delivery line;  
       key coding elements being movable into matched interengagement when the supply and delivery lines connected to the coupling members are matched but being precluded from moving into such a matched interengagement when said lines are mismatched, there being no relative movement between one of the key coding elements and one of the coupling members during movement of the coupling members into matched interengagement; and  
       a latch operable irrespective of the relative rotational positions of the coupling members, movable radially of the coupling members, and latching the coupling members together when the key coding elements are in matched interengagement.  
     
     
       14. The coupling of  claim 13  wherein there are latches movable radially of the coupling members irrespective of the relative rotational positions of the coupling members and latching the coupling members together when the key coding members are in matched interengagement. 
     
     
       15. A quick-connect coupling for enabling interconnection of only matching fluid delivery and supply lines while preventing the inadvertent interconnection of mismatched lines notwithstanding the presence of a plurality of delivery and supply lines some of which are matched and some of which are mismatched, comprising: 
       first and second coupling members having fluid passageways and being releasably axially movable into interfitted relationship with said passageways in fluid communication,  
       one of the coupling members being connectable to a supply line and the other coupling member being connectable to a delivery line;  
       key coding elements on the coupling members which are movable into matched interengagement when the supply and delivery lines connected to the coupling members are matched but which are precluded from moving into such a matched interengagement when said lines are mismatched, said coding elements being axially movable into said matched interengagement without relative rotation of the coupling members and irrespective of the relative rotational positions of the coupling members prior to such interengagement and without relative axial movement between one of the coupling members and its coding element or elements; and  
       a latch movable between a retaining position when the key coding elements are in matched engagement and releasably maintaining the coupling members in an interconnected relationship and a releasing position permitting separation of the coupling members.  
     
     
       16. The coupling of  claim 15 , 
       wherein said latch is precluded from moving into retaining position if the coupling members are not in matched engagement.  
     
     
       17. The coupling of  claim 15 , 
       wherein the key coding elements include opposed end walls on the coupling members extending transversely of the passageway; and  
       wherein said walls have configurations selected from the group of configurations consisting of  including one endwardly extending arcuate element lying along a path circumscribing said passageway, a plurality of endwardly extending arcuate elements lying along paths circumscribing said passageway, and no such elements.  
     
     
       18. The coupling of  claim 15 , 
       wherein the key coding elements include opposed end walls on the coupling members extending transversely of the passageway;  
       wherein the key coding elements include a plurality of arcuate elements and arcuate slots extending endwardly of each end wall toward the other end wall; and  
       wherein if the arcuate elements and slots interfit with each other the couplings are matched and if the arcuate elements on one wall contact the other wall and are prevented from interfitting, the couplings are mismatched.  
     
     
       19. The coupling of  claim 15 , 
       wherein the coding elements are radially spaced, axially extending ring segments on the coupling members that interfit with each other when the number and spacing of the ring segments on the coupling members are the same and conflict with each other when the number or spacing of the ring segments on the coupling members are different.  
     
     
       20. The coupling of  claim 19 , 
       wherein the ring segments are circumferentially spaced and are arranged in a plurality of groups of radially spaced ring segments;  
       wherein the ring segments have endwardly disposed faces that are axially spaced from a common plane extending perpendicularly of the passageway; and  
       wherein said spacing of the faces is graduated radially outwardly from the passageway.  
     
     
       21. The coupling of  claim 15 , 
       wherein the coupling members are relatively axially movable between an uncoupled position completely separated from each other and a coupled position in full interengagement with each other;  
       wherein the latch is operable to move into retaining position only when the coupling members are in full interengagement;  
       wherein the key coding elements include coding elements on the coupling members that contact each other if the coupling members are mismatched and prevent the coupling members from moving into full interengagement; and  
       wherein the key coding elements include coding elements on the coupling members that interfit with each other if the coupling members are matched and allow the coupling members to move into full interengagement.  
     
     
       22. A coupling for enabling interconnection of only matching fluid delivery and supply lines while preventing the inadvertent interconnection of mismatched lines notwithstanding the presence of plurality of delivery and supply lines some of which are matched and some of which are mismatched, comprising: 
       
         male and female coupling members having fluid passageways and being interconnected in sealed relationship with said passageways in fluid communication but being releasably axially slidably separable from each other,  
       
       
         one of the coupling member being connectable to a supply line and the other coupling member being connectable to a delivery line,  
       
       
         each coupling member terminating in an end face that extends transversely of said passageways,  
       
       
         a coding element on each coupling member extending axially of said passageways with the coding element on at least one of the coupling members extending axially endwardly of the end face of its coupling member,  
       
       
         the coding elements being movable into matched interengagement when the supply and delivery lines connected to the coupling members are matched but being precluded from moving into such a matched interengagement when said lines are mismatched, said coding elements of the coupling members being axially, movable into said matched interengagement without relative rotation of the coupling members and irrespective of the relative rotational positions of the coupling members prior to such interengagement, and  
       
         a non - threading latching mechanism having a retaining position when the coding elements are in matched engagement in which the coupling members are maintained in an interconnected relationship and a releasing position in which the coupling members are permitted to separate.    
     
     
       23. A coupling for enabling interconnection of only matching fluid delivery and supply lines while preventing the inadvertent interconnection of mismatched lines notwithstanding the presence of a plurality of delivery and supply lines some of which are matched and some of which are mismatched, comprising: 
       
         male and female coupling members having fluid passageways and being interconnected in sealed relationship with said passageways in fluid communication but being releasably axially separable from each other,  
       
       
         one of the coupling members being connectable to a supply line and the other coupling member being connectable to a delivery line,  
       
       
         one or more coding elements on each coupling member, the coding elements of the coupling members being movable into matched interengagement when the supply and delivery lines connected to the coupling members are matched but being precluded from moving into such a matched interengagement when said lines are mismatched, said coding elements of the coupling members being axially movable into said matched interengagement without relative rotation of the coupling members and irrespective of the relative rotational positions of the coupling members prior to such interengagement, one of the coupling members and its one or more coding elements being axially and rotatably immovable relative to each other during said axial movement of the coupling members, and  
       
       
         a latching mechanism having a retaining position when the coding elements are in matched engagement in which the coupling members are maintained in an interconnected relationship and a releasing position in which the coupling members are permitted to separate.  
       
     
     
       24. The coupling of  claim 23 , 
       
         wherein the coding element or elements on at least one of the couplings is integral with its or their coupling member.  
       
     
     
       25. The coupling of  claim 23 , 
       
         wherein each coupling member has an end, and  
       
       
         wherein the coding element or elements on at least one of the couplings is formed in the end of its or their coupling member.  
       
     
     
       26. The coupling of  claim 23 , 
       
         wherein the coupling members have opposed end walls on which the coding elements are located.  
       
     
     
       27. The coupling of  claim 26 , 
       
         wherein the coding element or elements on at least one of the coupling members is or are integrally formed on its or their coupling member.  
       
     
     
       28. The coupling of  claim 9 , 
       
         wherein the coding elements are arcuate and radially spaced from each other.  
       
     
     
       29. The coupling of  claim 9 , 
         wherein the latch is non - threading.    
     
     
       30. The coupling of  claim 29 , 
       
         wherein the latch includes a first latching element on one of the coupling members and movable radially of the passageways between latching and unlatching positions, and  
       
       
         wherein the latch also includes a second latching element on the other coupling member disposed circumferentially of the passageway and releasably receiving the first latching element in its latching position when the coupling members are in said interconnected relationship.  
       
     
     
       31. The coupling of  claim 30 , 
       
         wherein the latch includes a biasing member yieldably urging the first latching element into latching position.  
       
     
     
       32. A quick- connect coupling for enabling interconnection of only matching fluid delivery and supply lines while preventing the inadvertent interconnection of mismatched lines notwithstanding the presence of a plurality of delivery and supply lines some of which are matched and some of which are mismatched, comprising:    
       
         male and female coupling members having fluid passageways and being interconnected in sealed interconnected relationship with said passageways in fluid communication but being releasably axially slidably separable from each other,  
       
       
         one of the coupling members being connectable to a supply line and the other coupling member being connectable to a delivery line,  
       
       
         coding elements on the coupling members which are movable into matched interengagement when the supply and delivery lines connected to the coupling members are matched but which are precluded from moving into such a matched interengagement when said lines are mismatched, said coding elements being axially movable into said matched interengagement without relative rotation of the coupling members and irrespective of the relative rotational positions of the coupling members prior to such interengagement, and  
       
       
         a coupling mechanism having a retaining position when the coding elements are in matched engagement in which the coupling members are maintained in an interconnected relationship and a releasing position in which the coupling members are permitted to separate, the coupling mechanism having latching and unlatched positions and including a biasing member yieldably biasing the mechanism into one of said positions without applying biasing force against the coding elements on one of the coupling members.  
       
     
     
       33. A quick- connect coupling for enabling interconnection of only matching fluid delivery and supply lines while preventing the inadvertent interconnection of mismatched lines notwithstanding the presence of a plurality of delivery and supply lines some of which are matched and some of which are mismatched, comprising:    
       
         male and female coupling members having fluid passageways and being interconnected in sealed interconnected relationship with said passageways in fluid communication but being releasably axially slidably separable from each other,  
       
       
         one of the coupling members being connectable to a supply line and the other coupling member being connectable to a delivery line,  
       
       
         coding elements on the coupling members which are movable into matched interengagement when the supply and delivery lines connected to the coupling members are matched but which are precluded from moving into such a matched interengagement when said lines are mismatched, said coding elements being axially movable into said matched interengagement without relative rotation of the coupling members and irrespective of the relative rotational positions of the coupling members prior to such interengagement and without relative axial movement between one of the coupling members and its coding element or elements, and  
       
       
         a connecting mechanism having a retaining position when the coding elements are in matched engagement in which the coupling members are maintained in an interconnected relationship and a releasing position in which the coupling members are permitted to separate.  
       
     
     
       34. A coupling for enabling interconnection of only matching fluid delivery and supply lines while preventing the inadvertent interconnection of mismatched lines notwithstanding the presence of a plurality of delivery and supply lines some of which are matched and some of which are mismatched, comprising: 
       
         male and female coupling members having fluid passageways and being interconnected in sealed relationship with said passageways in fluid communication but being releasably axially separable from each other,  
       
       
         one of the coupling members being connectable to a supply line and the other coupling member being connectable to a delivery line,  
       
         one or more coding elements on each coupling member that is or are movable into matched interengagement when the supply and delivery lines connected to the coupling members are matched but is or are precluded from moving into such a matched interengagement when said lines are mismatched, said coding elements of the coupling members being axially movable into said matched interengagement without relative rotation of the coupling members and irrespective of the relative rotational positions of the coupling members prior to such interengagement, the coding element or elements on one of the coupling members being non - rotatable rotatable relative to its or their coupling member during said axial movement of the coupling members into matched interengagement, and    
       
         a latching mechanism having a retaining position when the coding elements are in matched engagement in which the coupling members are maintained in an interconnected relationship and a releasing position in which the coupling members are permitted to separate.  
       
     
     
       35. A quick- connect coupling for enabling interconnection of only matching fluid delivery and supply lines while preventing the inadvertent interconnection of mismatched lines notwithstanding the presence of a plurality of delivery and supply lines some of which are matched and some of which are mismatched comprising:    
       
         male and female coupling members having fluid passageways and being interconnected in sealed interconnected relationship with said passageways in fluid communication but being releasably axially slidably separable from each other,  
       
       
         one of the coupling members being connectable to a supply line and the other coupling member being connectable to a delivery line,  
       
       
         a coding element or elements on the coupling members which are axially movable into matched interengagement when the supply and delivery lines connected to the coupling members are matched but which are precluded from moving into such a matched interengagement when said lines are mismatched, said coding elements being axially movable into said matched interengagement without relative rotation of the coupling members and irrespective of the relative rotational positions of the coupling members prior to such interengagement and without relative axial movement between one of the coupling members and its coding element or elements, and  
       
       
         a mechanism having a retaining position when the coding elements are in matched engagement in which the coupling members are maintained in an interconnected relationship and a releasing position in which the coupling members are permitted to separate.  
       
     
     
       36. The coupling of  claim 35 , 
       
         wherein the coding elements include an arcuate projection on one of the coupling members and an arcuate slot on the other coupling member.